New information obligations for producers and distributors of batteries since August 2025
Since 18 August 2025, stricter information obligations have applied under the new Battery Regulation (BattVO). Producers are required not only to provide more extensive information, but also to address an expanded group of addressees, such as distributors, waste operators and other economic actors. Distributors, in turn, must significantly extend their information obligations towards end-users.
Information obligations of producers
According to Article 74(1) Battery Regulation, producers must provide the following information to end-users and distributors, among others:
Waste prevention and separate collection: Information on the importance of the separate collection of waste batteries as well as details on collection and take-back points.
Extension of battery lifetime: Recommendations for optimal use and information on the possibilities of re-use, repurposing and remanufacturing.
Safety measures for handling: Information on the safe handling of batteries, in particular lithium batteries – including guidance for cases of damaged, swollen or leaking batteries.
Labelling and symbols: Explanations of the prescribed labels and symbols, such as the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol.
Environmental and health risks: Information on the risks of substances contained in batteries, as well as potential environmental damage and health hazards in the event of improper disposal.
Information obligations of distributors
In addition, distributors are subject to specific obligations towards end-users when placing batteries on the market, pursuant to Article 74(4) Battery Regulation:
Provision of producer information: All information provided by producers – for example on collection, safety or labelling – must be made available to end-users.
Additional obligations: Distributors are also required to provide clear and visible information on the return options for waste batteries – both at physical points of sale and on online platforms.
Separate disclosure of waste management costs
Article 74(5) Battery Regulation further stipulates that the waste management costs borne by producers pursuant to Article 56(4)(a)–(d) Battery Regulation must be disclosed separately to end-users at the point of sale when purchasing new batteries. While such separate disclosure was explicitly prohibited under the previous German Battery Act (BattG), it is now mandatory.
Objective of the new rules
With these extended obligations, the Battery Regulation aims to increase collection and recycling rates, reduce environmental impacts of waste batteries, enhance safety in the handling of batteries, and improve transparency for end-users.
